Apparatus for drying finely-divided material.



R.-.S. KENT. APPARATUS FOR DRYING FINELY DIVIDED MATERIAL. 4 I APPLIC ATION HLED MAY 9, 1913'- 1,146,265,, Patentedv July13, 1915.

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APPLICATION FILED MAY 9, I913.

Patented July 13, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 R s. KENT. APPARATUS FOR DRY! NG FINELY DIVIDED' MATERIAL" APPLICATiON FILED MAY 9,1913.

Patented July 13,1915

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" "UNITE, D STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT S. KENT, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

APPARATUS FOR DRYINGFINELY-DIVIDED MATERIAL.

To all whom it ma concern.

Be it known t at '1, ROBERT S. KENT, a

- citizen of the United States, and a resident of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus 5 for Drying Finely-Divided .Material, of which thejfollowing isa specification. 'i This invention relates to apparatus "for drying finely divided material, and particularlyto a rotary drier for removing the moisture from various. kinds of granular or powdered materials, .such, for example, as

- cement, the principal object of the invention being toobtain a drying apparatus. which will be more efficient and economical in operation than driers of this class as hereto- ,foreconstructed. 1 Inapparatus of this classas hertofore generally made, it has, been customary to subjectthe material to be dried to the action of a suitable gaseous drying mediumin the interior of a hollowchamber or drum, usually substantially cylindrical and having'su'itable means for causing the material to travel from'one' end of such drum to the In such apparatus this drum ordifor positively advancing the material from thereceiving to the delivery end of the drum and also showering it through a drying medium traveling through the drum, the usual construction being one in which the drum has a circuit of internal flights or material-containing buckets for receiving the material delivered to the drum and .carrying'it'around with the drum in the rotation of the latter, and spilling it at a point near the top. of the drum through a current of heated air or other drying medium. In

such a drum the material .is gradually advanced and dried as it travels from the receiving to the delivery end of the drum and finally leaves the drum in the desired con? dition.

In drying apparatus of this general class it has been customary to employ heating means, usually a furnace, located outside of that portion of the apparatus in which the material is exposed to the action of a heated gaseous drying medium. When heating means of this type is employed a very considerable percentage of the, heat is radiated It is the principal object ofthe present invention to provide an improved apparatus is to say, the heating means of this general class in which the heating means or furnace is located-- substantially Patented July 13, 1915. a App1ication filed May 9, 1918. Serial No.\766,592.

within and is preferably inclosed by the walls of the principal drying element, that or furnace in the preferred construction is located within fed toward the .delivery end of the drum.

Other featuresof the invention relate to means for circulating the gaseous drying medium in an internally heated. drying apparatus'through said apparatus from one the rotary drying chamber or drum in which l the material to be dried is showered through a gaseous drying medium and gradually end of the same to the other and back;

- again, to means for supporting the parts in manner asto permit relative longi tudlnal movement between the main rotary such a drum and other parts .of'the apparatus, to

means for supporting the longitudinally expansible membersof the apparatus in such a manner asto compensate for expansion and contraction, and to various other features of construction which will be'hereinafter described and claimed and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which, I

Figure'l is a substantially central, longitudinal'section and side elevation of an internally heated drying apparatus embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a transverse section and rear'elevation of the same, the section being taken in line 22, Fi 1, looking inthe'direction ofthe arrow; ig. 3 is a transverse section and front elevation of the same, the section being taken in line 3-3, Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 45 is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating a modification of the invention in which the inner drying chamber of the apparatus is supported in a somewhat different manner from the corresponding element of Fig, 1; .Fig. 5 is a transverse section and front elevation of the same,- the section being taken in line 5-5, Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a transverse section and rear elevation of the'same, the section being taken in line 6-6, Fig. 4; F ig. 7 is a View similar to Fig. 1 illustrating a modified form of drying apparatus in which the furnace and the inner drying chamber are supported on rollers instead of being suspended by hangers as in Figs. 1 and 4; Fig. 8 is a transverse section of the same, the-section'being taken in line 8-8, Fig. 7, looking in thedirection of the arrow, and Fig. 9 is an .en-'

are of larged detail illustrating in longitudinal section and elevation a portion of an apparatus similar to that of Fig. 1 except that a rocking strut is employed to support the rear end of the inner chamber and the channel beam on which it is mounted instead of hangers.

Similar characters designate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

In carrying my invention into effect I may make use of any suitable drying apparatus capable of operation substantially in the manner before described, but prefer toemploy one of substantially the type illustrated in the drawings. In each of the various forms of apparatus in which the invention is illustrated as embodied, the,

main elements of the apparatus represented well-known construction except where modification was found necessary to adapt my invention thereto.

Referring first toFigs. 1 to 3 inclusive, 2 illustrates a drying chamber of a well known type in the form of a rotary material-conveying drum, which drum is suitably supported at the proper points in its length in a well known manner on roller bearings, such as 3 and 4:. The drum 2 is placed, as is usual, at a slight angle to the horizontal for the purpose of assuring the movement of the material fromthe upper or receiving end to the lower or delivery end of the drum. At the receiving end the material may be introduced into the drum in any suitable manner, as, for example, through a spout, 5, projecting into the receiving end of the drum, preferably at a point at one side of the axis of the same. This spout may lead from any suitable source of ,supply' of the moist material to be dried. Near one end thereof, in this case the receiving end, provision-is made for continuously rotating the outer drying chamber or drum 2, the means shown for the purpose being the usual large external gear, 6, meshing with a driving pinion, 7, suitably supported and carried by a driving shaft, 8. v I

In connection with the outer drying chamber or rotary drum 2 it has been customary to employ an inner hollow member in the form of a flue or shell for the purpose of circulating a heated gaseous drying medium through the apparatus from one end to the other of the same, and then back again, in order to utilize the heat of said drying medium most efficiently. In the present construction this feature is also retained, an inner flue suitable for the purpose being shown at 9. Unlike the outer. drum 2, it is illustrated as stationary and also as disposed substantially horizontally. At its f0rward end it is intended to be connected with suitable means for supplying a heated, gaseous medium for circulation through the inner flue 9'from one end to the other theremeans.

of, and it is also intended to deliver this drying medium at its own delivery end to the rotary drum 2 in which the drying medium will be carried back to-the receiving end of the apparatus and pass through finely divided material being raised and showered in the rotating drum 2 by the material-conveying buckets'or flights 10 before mentioned. These flights may be of any construction suitable for the purpose and their mode of operation is well understood. It is fully set forth in my prior Patent No. 914052 (among others) granted March 2, 1909. The flights 10 may be of the ordinary type having a continuous or substantially straight edge, or they may be of the saw-' tooth type having the interrupted edge described in said patent.

It is customary to mount the outer drum 2 near its ends in suitable casing-heads, such as 11 and 12, which serve to cover the open ends of the rotary drum 2 and prevent waste of heat, etc. In this construction the casinghead 12 is preferably movable in order to permit the drum 2 to be shifted lengthwise relatively 'to the other parts in assembling and disassembling. Suitable joints properly packed will be employed, as indicated at 13 and 14c, at the points where the rotary drum 2 passes into the casing-heads 11 and 12.

The inner hollow member or flue 9 differs from inner flues of apparatus of this class, as heretoforeconstructed, not only in its structure but in the manner in whichflit is supported and mounted. It is not intended to turn with the outer drum 2 but instead is stationary and is mounted on stationary or substantially stationary supporting means. Its crosssection is also preferably such as to facilitate the descent of the material being showered and permit such material to fall to the bottom of the drum 2. As shown, its cross-section is triangular, being substantially that-.of an equilateral triangle with its vertex, uppermost and its side walls 15 sloping to such an extent as to prevent accumulation of the material on them. Here the delivery end of this flue 9 of triangular cross-section is closed, as indicated at 16, but there is communication from the stationary fine 9 to the rotary-drum 2 in this case through openings, 17, formed by struckup strips, 18, in a manner which will be clear by referring to Figs. 1 and 6. The opposite or receiving end of the stationary flue 9 is open to communication with the heating In the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 3 the independent support for the stationary flue 9 comprises one or more channelbeams, 19, which in Fig. I extend from end L gitudinal beam 19 is shown as suspended from ahanger, 21, in the casing-head 12, it being not only supported by said hanger but so held as to be permitted to expand and contract longitudinally in accordance with changes in the temperature. The connections between the stationary inner flue 9 and the beams 19 may be such as indicated ber in which the material is circulated during drying, but is alsoconnected'directly to the receiving end of the stationary inner flue 9. A furnace suitable for the purpose is illustrated at 23. As shown, it is a rela-' tively long furnace substantially circular in cross-section and of considerably smaller diameter than the outer rotary drum- 2, in

order that it may be located within said drum and yet leave sufiicient space between it and the circuit of internal flights 10 in said drum to permit the proper showering of the material in the drum in'therotation of said flights, and also permit the proper circulation of a heated drying medium lengthwise through said drum in eitherdirection. This furnace 23 has the usual grate, 24, and a suitable fire-brick lining, 25+which also serves to prevent over-heating of the surrounding space and the walls of the. rotary drum 2and is closed at its forward end in the usual manner by a door I or doors through which the furnace may be charged. Near its rear end it has a b'afliewall, 26, and at the extreme rear end thereof a delivery-opening, 27 in the end wall,

' 28, (of metal and fire brick) through which delivery opening the heated drying medium delivered by the furnace .(in this case furnace gases, etc.) enters the forward or receiving end of the stationary inner flue it goes to the stack.

9, and passing through it'heats up the walls of said flue and emerges from' said flue through the openings 17 into the other end of the outer'orrotary drum 2. From this point the hot drying medium travels back in the opposite-direction from that just described and passing through the whole.

length of the rotary drum 2 emerges from the same at the forward end thereof, and passes from the interior of the casing-head 11 into the exhaust pipe, 29, from which good circulation of the drying medium from the heating means through both of the hollow members 2 and 9, an exhaust fan is ordinarily employed, as indicated at. 30. The furnace 23 like the inner flue 9 is also supported independently of the inclusive are In order to assure a rotary drying chamber or, drum 2 and the support for the furnace and the stationary flue 9 are the same, said furnace being also mounted on and supported by the longitudinal and transverse channel-beams, etc., 19 and 20, and by the end uprights of the apparatus.

The material to be treated is supplied, as before stated, throughthe pipe 5 and is delivered into the interior of the rotary drum .2 at a point at one side of the center of the top of the furnace, so thatas little as possible will lodge on top of the same, the. incline of these walls being such that the material will flow down them. The moist material falls first to the bottom of the drum 2 and is caught by the flights 10 and carried around by them and showered' through the space in said drum from. a point near the top of the rotary drum. The construction of the flights is such that the material is preferably not spilled until the flights pass some distance beyond the central vertical plane of the furnace and drum, in order that the material may not lodge on top'of the furnace. The falling material is-subjected in the usual manner to the action ofa heated drying medium, which medium here consists of the furnace gases, etc, but may of course be hot air only heated by said furnace, the moisture in the material being rapidly removed by the current of heated gases as the material is tumbled around and around in the drum and gradually fed toward the. delivery end of thesame. By the circulation of the drying medium through both the stationary flue in one direction and the rotary drum in the opposite direction, the heat of this gaseous medium is utilized most thoroughly for the drying of the material. When the material rcaches the delivery end of the drum 2 it i's discharged from said drum and may be received and carried away by a suitable conveyor, such as a feed-screw, 31, working in a receiving trough, 32.

In Figs. 4 to 6 inclusive I have illustrated a modification of the invention in which substantiallv all of the parts hereinbefore described in connection with Figs. 1 to 3 retained, practically un changed, and are designated by correspondl ing' reference characters, but in which the furnace, instead of being supported directly angle-iron support, 33, mounted'on transverse channel-bars, 20, corresponding to those shown at 20 in Fig. 1. Longitudinal channel-beams similar to those shown at 19 are also employed in this construction, but

instead of lying below the level of the furv nace and supporting upon them both the furnace and the innerflue 9, these l0ngistrut, 37, is shown for supporting the rear located within and practically inclosed by tudinal channel-beams, which are indicated at 19, extend only to the rear end of the furnace and support upon them only the flue 9, said channel-beams being secured at their forward ends to the outer shell of the rear end of the furnace. The stationary flue 9 at its forward end is centered with respect to the rear end of the furnace instead of being on a level with the bottom of the furnace, as in Fig. l, but in other respects it is substantially the same as in Fig. 1 and rests upon the channel-beams 19 whichare suspended at their rear ends from hangers 21 as in Fig. 1.

Figs. 7v and 8 illustrate another modification of the invention in which channelbeams, 19", running from end to end of the drying apparatus, as in Fig. 1, are retained and both thefurnace 23 and the inner stationary flue 9 aresupported on these longitudinal beams, as is the .case in the construction shown in Fig, 1. There are twoimportant differences, however, that distinguish this construction from that of the apparatus of Fig. 1. In the first place the beams 19", are at both ends thereof connected permanently with uprights, 33 and 34, at the front and rear ends of the framework, respectively.

tion between the channel-beams 19- on the one hand and the stationary inner flue 9 and the furnace 23 bn the other hand is taken care of, not by suspending the rear ends of the longitudinal channel-beams as in the constructions previously described, but by rollers interposed between the flue 9 and the furnace on the one hand and said channel-beams on the other Ihe rollers, 35, for the stationary flue are shown as carried by a channel-bar, 36, the rollers themselves being supported on the upper or track surfaces of the channel-beams 19".

In Fig. 9 I have illustrated another modification of the invention in Which a rocking end of each channel-beam 19, the upper and lower ends of the rocker cooperating with suitable half-bearings, the upper of :Which is indicated at 38 and the lower ing at 39.

From the foregoing it will be seen that in all of the constructions illustrated the material is dried by the action of a gaseous drying medium heated by internal heating means, that is to say, by a heater or furnace the principal drying chamber, so that substantially all of the heat given off by the furnace is utilized in the apparatus instead of being radiated into space and Wasted to a large extent, as is the case with drying apparatus of this class having externalheating means. It will also be seen that in In the second place, relat ve longitudinal expansion and contracorstep bear- I clear that in all cases provision is made for I compensating for the usual longitudinal expansion and contraction of the inner hollow member or flue, and in general for all necessary movements of the parts either during operation or in assembling'or disassembling when the apparatus is not in operation.

What I claim is; l 1. In an apparatus for drying finely divided material, the combination with a rotary material-conveying drum, of means including afurnace located Within said drum and a flue extending from the furnace toward one end of the drum for passing a heated gaseous medium through the drum.

.2. In an apparatus for drying finely divided material, the combination with a retary material-conveying drum mounted to turn about an'axis disposedat an angle to the horizontal, and With 'a casing-head which incloses one end of said drum and in which said end of the drumturns, of means including a furnace located within said drum for passing a heated gaseous medium through the drum.

3. In an apparatus for drying finely divided material, the combination with a rotary material-conveying drum mounted to turn about an axis disposed at an acute angle to the horizontal, of means including a horizontally disposed furnace located within said drum at the receiving end thereof for passing a heated gaseous medium through the drum toward the delivery end thereof, and a casing-head ,inclosing oneend of said drumand also surrounding the furnace and in-which-said-drum turns.

t. In an apparatus for drying finely divided material, the combination. with a rotar ymaterial conveying drum mounted. to turn about an axis disposed atan' acute angle to the horizontal, of means for showering said material in said drum, means including a furnace located within said drum for passing a heated gaseous medium through the drum, anda casing-head inclosing one end of said drum and also surrounding the furnaceand in which the said drum turns.

5. In an apparatusfor drying finely divided material, the combination with a roing sides on which said material fallsfrom nace and in which. said drum turns.

- 6. In an apparatus for drying finely di vided material, the combination witha rotary material conveying drum mounted to turn about an axis disposed at an-angle to the horizontal, of means fonshowering saidmaterial in said drum, means including a. stationary furnace located within said drum for passing a heated gaseous medium through the drum, and a stationary casinghead inclosing the receiving end of-the drum and connected to the charging end of said furnace and in which said drum turns.

7 In an apparatus for drying finely divided material, the combination with a roztary material-conveying drum mounted to turn about an axis disposed at an angle to the horizontal, of means for showering said material in said drum, means including a stationary furnace located within the receiving end of said drum for passing a heated gaseous medium through the drum, and a stationary casing-head'inclosing the receiving'end of the drum and. surrounding and supporting thecharging end of said furnace and in which said drum turns.

8. In an apparatus .for drying finely divided material, the combination with a ro-- tary material-conveying drum mounted: to turn about an axis disposed at an angle to the horizontal, and-with a pair of stationary casing-heads inclosing the ends of said drum and in which said drum turns, of means for showering said material in said drum, and

means including a furnace located within and jacketed solely by the receiving end of the drum and the adjacent casing-head for passing aheated gaseous medium through said drum. 9

9. In a apparatus for drying finelydivided material, thecombination with a rotary material-conveying drum mounted to turn about an axis disposed at an angle to the horizontal, of a circuit of internal flights carried by said drum for showering said material in the drum, and means including a furnace located within said drum for passing a heated gaseous medium through the drum, said furnace having a top with slopth'e' flights. a

10.'In an apparatus for drying finely divided-material, the combination with a pair of long hollow members one disposed within the other and the outer of which is a ro-- "tary material-conveying drum and both of which extend in the same general direction,

of means including a furnace located within said drum for passing a heated gaseous {)nedium through both of saidhollow memers. 1

'70 11. In an apparatus for drying finely divided material, the combination with a palr of long hollow members one disposed within the other and the outer of which is a rotary material-conveying .drum mounted-to turn about nan axis disposed at an acute angle to the horizontal and both of .which extend in "the same general direction, of

means including a furnace located within ,1

said drum for'passing a heated gaseous medium through both of said hollow members.

12. In an apparatus for drying finelydivided material, the combination with a pair of long hollow members one disposed ithin the other and the outeriof which is a'rotary' material-conveyingdrum mounted to turn about an axis disposed at an acute angle to the horizontal, of means for showeringsaid material in said drum, and means including a furnace located within said drumfor passing a heated gaseous medium through both of said hollow members.

13. In an apparatus for drying finely divided material, the combination with a pair of'long hollow members one disposed Within the other and the outer of which is a rotar-y material-conveying drum, of means including a furnace located within said drum for passing a heated gaseous medium first through the inner member from the receiving to the deliveryv end .of the drum'and then through the drum from the delivery end back to the receiving end thereof. 14. In an apparatus fordrying finely dividedmaterial, the combination with a pair. of long hollow members one disposed within the. other and the outer of which is a rotary material-conveying drum and the inner of which is a stationary fine, of means including a stationary furnace'locatedwithin said drum' and connected with said stationary flue forpassing a heated gaseous me dium first through said stationary flue from the receiving to the delivery end. of the drum and. then through the drum from the delivery end back to the receiving end thereof. 15. In an apparatus for drying finely divided material, the combination with a pair of long hollow members one disposed within the other and the outer of which is a rotary material-conveying drum and the inner of which is closed substantially throughout-its length but is open to communication with the drum near the deliveryendof the lat ter, of means including a'. furnace located within said drum for passing a heated gaseous medium first through said inner memher from the receiving to the delivery end Y amazes of the drum and then through the drum from the delivery to the receiving end thereof.

16. In an apparatus for drying finely divided material, the combination with a pair of long hollow members one disposed within the other and the outer of which is a rotary material-conveying drum and the inner of which is stationary and is closed substantially throughout its length but is open to communication with the drum near the deliveryend of the latter, of means including a stationary furnace located within said drum and connected with said stationary inner member for passing a heated gaseous medium first through said inner memher from the receiving to the delivery end of the drum and then through the drum from the delivery to the receiving end thereof.

17. In an apparatus for drying finely divided material, the combination with a pair of long hollow members one disposed within the other and the outer of which is a rotary material-conveying drum mounted to turn about an axis disposed at an acute angle to the horizontal and the inner of which is stationary and has sides that slope down- .ward from the. top thereof, of means for showering said material in said drum, and

, means including a furnace located within said drum and connected with said inner hollow member for passing a heated gaseous medium through both of said hollow members.

18. In an apparatus for drying finely divided material, the combination with a pair of long hollow members one disposed within the other and the outer of which is a rotary material-conveying drum mounted to turn about an axis disposed at an acute angle to the horizontal and the inner of which is stationary and is substantially triangular in cross-section with the vertex of the triangle uppermost, of means for showering said material in said drum, and means v including a furnace located within said drum and connected with said inner hollow member for passing a heated gaseous medium through bothof said hollow members.

19. In an apparatus for drying finely divided material, the. combination with a pair of long hollow members one disposed within the other and the outer of which is a rotary material-conveying drummounted to turn about an axls dlsposed at an acute angle to the horizontal and the inner of which is stationary and is substantially triangular throughsaid inner member from the receiving to the delivery end of the drum and then through the drum fromrthe delivery to the receiving end thereof. 20. In an apparatus for drying finely divided material, the combination with a pair of long hollow members one disposed within the other and the outer of whichis a rotary in the other and the outer of which is a rotary material-conveying drum mounted to turn about an axis disposed at an acute angle to the horizontal and both of which extend in the samelgeneral direction, of a longitudinal beam within said drum for supporting said inner member independently of the rotary drum, and means including a furnace located within the rotary drum for passing a heated gaseous medium through both of.

said hollow members.

22. In an apparatus for drying finely divided material, the combination with a pair of long hollow members one disposed within the other and the outer of which is a rotary material-conveying drum mounted to turn about an axis disposed at an acute angle to the horizontal, of a longitudinal beam within said drum for supporting said inner member independently of the rotary drum, and

means including astationary furnace located within the rotary drum and supported independently thereoffor passing a heated gaseous medium through both of said hollow members.

23. In an apparatus for drying finely divided material, the combination with a pair of long hollow members one disposed Within the other and the outer of which is a rotary material-conveying drum mounted to turn about an axis disposed at an acute angle to the horizontal and both of which extend in the same general direction, of means for supporting said hollow members in a manner permitting relative longitudinal movement between them, and means including a furnace located within the rotary drum for passing a heated gaseous medium through both of said hollow members.

24. In an apparatus for drying finely divided material, the combination with a pair of long hollow members one disposedwithin the other and the outer of which is a rotary material-conveying drum mounted to turn about an axis disposed at an acute angle to the horizontal, of a longitudinal beamwithin said drum for supporting said inner member independently of-the rotary drum,

and. means including a furnace supported by said beam for passing a heated gaseous medium through both of said hollow members.

25. In anapparatus for drying finely divided materiahthe combination with a pair of long hollow membersone disposed within the other and the outer -'of which is a rotary materialconveying drum mounted to Q turn about an axis disposed atan acute angle to the horizontal and both of which I extend in the same general direction, of means for supporting said inner member 1ndependently ofthe rotary drum and "for compensating for longitudinal expansion and contraction thereof, and means including a furnace" located within the. rotary drum for passing-a heated gaseous mediumv through both of said hollow members.

26. In'an apparatus for drying finely divided material, the combination with a ro-' tary material-conveying drum mounted to turn about an axis disposed at an angle to the horizontal, of a beam: extending through said drum, an inner stationary flue disposed within said drum and supported by said beam, and means including a furnace within said drum for passing a heated gaseous anedium through said inner flue and the .said drum, an inner stationaryjfiue disposed within said drum and' supported by said beam, and means including a stationary furnace also supported by said beam within said drum for passing a heated gaseousmedium through\ said inner flue and the drum.

28; In an apparatus for drying finely diyided material, the combination with a rotary material-conveying drum mounted to turn about an axis disposed at an angle to the horizontal, of-a beam extending through saidrdrum, an inner stationary flue disposed 7 within said drum and supported by said 0 beam, means for supporting said beam in a manner to permit longitudinal expansion and contraction thereof, and means includ-' ing a furnace within said drum :for passing a heated gaseous medium through said inner flue and the drum. a

Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York this 7th I I day of May-A. D. 1913. w

' ROBERT S. KENT. Witnesses: a

C. S. CHAMPION, ANNE C. BARNES. 

